Are American cinemas really like this during horror movies? - Scream 2 (1997) Discussion

[–] Housefan2 8 years ago

I went to a Rocky Horror Picture Show screening on Halloween night and the craziness there is the only movie I've been to that even remotely compares. And even it wasn't that insane.

Lizzie

To love another person is to see the face of God! - Les Miserables

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[–] DrDanielChallis 8 years ago

In terms of excitement and anticipation? Yes - I've experienced a few horror movies like this (no, people weren't running around and treating the place like a zoo)

An American Werewolf in London
Friday the 13th Part 3 (in 3D)
and, funny enough - Scream 2

In all 3 of these movie-going experiences, you had a really loud crowd talking and anticipating the start of the film - people guessing as to what is going to happen, wondering if it will be good as this movie or that, anxiously awaiting to be scared! Then as the curtain raised (literally in some cases) people hushed up - great crowds who respected each other, but would laugh or cringe at the same time!

Really, in Scream 2's case - Scream was such a surprise hit and received so much word of mouth, that Scream 2 had this groundswell - the whodunit aspect was in full focus - "A new set of killings at college! - what the hell is going on?" A lot of people suspected one of the main characters or Cotton weary. Maybe Billy or Stu weren't dead?

An American Werewolf in London was an original Horror/Dark Comedy - perfect for the college crowd and the special effects had everyone talking - if you were lucky enough, you saw it as a double feature (Friday the 13th part 2 showed the trailer for this) with F13 part 2.

Friday the 13th Part 3: Everyone was talking about the 3D. Everyone was talking about Jason just getting the hockey mask - great fun and the best kind of 3d you don't find in the theaters anymore

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[–] 5535 8 years ago

I've only seen a U.S. cinema like this during the Star Wars prequels, but only really for The Phantom Menace midnight screening. TONS of people in costumes, a little saber play before the movie, but it was relatively calm compared to the Scream 2 opening lol.

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[–] Brookiee124 8 years ago

I guess everyone here has had a totally different experience than I have! It might be a regional thing, but whenever I see a horror film where I live now (Southern USA) there's always tons of kids screaming at the screen and nervously talking during the scary parts. To an extent it can make a movie more fun. However when people are constantly on their phones or talking LOUDLY the entire time, I get a security guard and they get kicked out lol

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[–] ElectricWarlock 8 years ago

It depends who's in the theater. I've been to some horror movies where the theater is dead silent but others where people scream, yell at the characters, and laugh at loud at the most random things that aren't even funny. It depends on your luck. I usually go to movies in their 2nd or 3rd week on Sunday afternoons, though. When most people have already seen it and the theater is relatively empty.

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[–] moolanguap 8 years ago

What really took it over the top were the costumes and people running up and down the aisles during the opening credits. That's ridiculous and I'm sure a safety hazard. However, I saw Rob Zombie's Halloween opening night, and never have I been in a theater as packed as that one. Was sitting on the steps for about 20 minutes until a few seats at the very front emptied. Each time Michael appeared or a jump scare happened, people would lose their *beep* lol despite the unfortunate viewing angle for the majority of the film, it was a fun experience.

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[–] 8 years ago

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[–] 8 years ago

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[–] atac57 8 years ago

I heard back in the 50's people would scream often during scary movies.

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[–] AlexJohan (390) 4 years ago

Not at all. I was an extra in the exterior and interior segment of the film. The interior was shot first. The madness was at the directors urging. Its was a tad overdramatic but worked great.

Location 1 : Rialto Theatre
Exterior knife / ticket booth / Jada Pinkett Smith buys popcorn.

Loaction 2 : The Vista Theatre
Movie screen / Omar Epps killed in bathroom.

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[–] PF4Eva (290) 4 years ago

What was Wes like?

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[–] AlexJohan (390) 4 years ago

As extras during shooting we were not allowed to talk to or engage Wes directly.
There is a line where background performers if interact with the director goes from extras to paid actors.
I chatted to Mr Craven on day 2 or 3 after the shoot, he was an old man even then, but he was very nice & kind.
He had a clear vision that he wanted the movie theater to look like a frat house.
It’s not an exaggerations that almost every actor in town born between 1970 – 1980 auditioned for this film as Scream 1 was a HUGE hit.

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